Friday 11 October 2019

Enjoying the Season


Or, at least, we are trying to in between the downpours. Autumn has arrived here in typical northern style. Wet and windy. Beautiful sunshine one minute, then dark and pouring with rain the next.
This week has felt long. I've been struggling with a hip problem and now I'm very aware of the beginnings of a cold. I suppose the weather should be the perfect excuse to cosy-in and rest up.




Mother Nature is doing her thing. The earth is preparing to slow down for the winter with a wonderful display, and at the weekend we walked through the woods, taking it all in. The leaves are falling fast and we had fun trying to catch them before they landed. Mum - 1. Lily - 0, although in fairness I've had a few more years of practice.
Our boots have taken up permanent position by the front door. I wouldn't consider anything less at his time of year - warm, dry toes are a priority for me. The ground is so muddy. Soggy leaves, beech nuts and conkers get everywhere. I try not to be too concerned on the occasions mud is trampled in the house, it's soon swept up.









The amount of conkers on the coffee table is increasing by the day. I collect them every autumn. It's something that immediately takes me back to childhood and I love that Lily enjoys it too. The gingerbread candle has been lit in an evening and it smells amazing and the knitted pumpkins have taken their seasonal place upon the mantel.

This week I've been particularly busy in the kitchen. Everything has been cooked from scratch - yes, even the post swimming class pizza! I've surprised myself. There's nothing I like better than comfort food at this time of year, especially if it's simple and delicious, and one of my favourites is a risotto.


Butternut squash and sage risotto:

1 small squash cut into chunks
50g butter
1 onion
2 teaspoons dried sage
300g arborio rice
Approximately 1.5 litres vegetable stock
50g hard cheese

Roast the squash in a medium oven for around 20 minutes. 
Gently cook the onions in the butter. Stir in rice, sage, adding the vegetable stock a little at a time, until cooked.
Mash up half the squash (I use a fork to do this) and stir through the rice along with the cheese.
Serve up in bowls with the rest of the squash scattered on top.

Thank you to everyone who left such kind words on my last post. I'm happy to report the school situation appears to have been resolved but it is something I will be keeping a close eye on.

J. X

48 comments:

  1. Sounds like your north western weather is very similar to ours. We’ve been up early volunteering and having to do rush hour traffic in the rain. Not good. Your photos and risotto have cheered me and tempted me to get the ingredients and try it. Have a cosy weekend. Hope you’re feeling better soon. B x

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    1. It has been pretty grim but I've been determined to get out when the weather permits. I think any crisp, bright days are a little way off yet. X

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  2. Beautiful photos as always Jules.
    We are still waiting for the leaves to change here. I wish they'd get a move on as I do love to see the Autumn colours.
    Looks like I will be packing boots and umbrellas for our few days in Cornwall :( The weather forecast is dire except for the day we come back...just our luck.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. Fingers crossed the weather improves for your trip to Cornwall. X

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  3. I love that squash risotto too, we seem to have similar tastes in recipes, I have been known to put a tiny amount of chilli in too just to give it a bit of depth.

    Autumn has come in with a wet and wild bang hasn't it? I am hoping that we might have a bit of respite now, I can hope right?

    I am sorry to hear that you are having hip problems that must be so painful, I hope it is not giving you too much trouble.

    Glad to hear that all is resolved with Lily at school, I hope that is the last of it.

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    1. The sage adds a real warmth to this risotto. Any recipe which is simple and tasty is a winner for me :)
      The weather has been so gloomy and wet so far this month and I haven't seen any improvement in the forecast. I'm hoping, along with you, that we will see some bright sunny days before long.
      My hip is quite painful but, I hope, is slowly improving. I've been so frustrated at my sleepless nights and physical limitations this week. X

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  4. It's a lovely time of year to walk through woodland, so much to see. Mud! I'd have never have had a white kitchen had I known we'd get a dog, ha ha. I hope your problematic hip is on the mend soon and that the cold isn't too bad, I've managed to avoid the lurgy so far.

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    1. It's beautiful isn't it. There's so much to see and so many changes in the countryside at this time of year. Haha! Yes, I remember constantly wiping paws and being grateful for frosty days when I had a dog. X

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  5. Your picture of the conkers really warmed my heart. I've always treasured their beautiful rich colour.

    I make risotto too: usually mushroom (with wild and shiitake mushrooms as well as chestnut mushrooms) or asparagus and pea or asparagus and smoked salmon: food of the gods.

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    1. I love the colour of conkers, it's such a shame they lose their shine after a day or so.
      Risotto is such a great versatile dish. It's always been a favourite of mine. X

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  6. Hope you feel better soon Jules.
    I love any sort of risotto, it's one of my favourite meals.xx

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  7. I like the sound of that risotto. I have friends coming shortly for the weekend so shall give it a go before hand and if I get it right shall try it while they are here. So thanks for that.
    Glad about school sorting itself out.

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    1. It's really delicious, Pat. I'd love to know what you think. X

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  8. Hope you feel better soon, Jules. I’m glad to hear that Lily’s school situation has been resolved.

    I have a small amount of arborio rice and was thinking of making mushroom risotto, but now I’m going to try your recipe. Luckily I have a butternut squash too. 😊

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Nil. It's lucky you have a squash, although mushrooms are delicious in a risotto too. X

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  9. I do love Autumn.. My favourite candle s a cinnamon or red berry Christmassy one. They smell totally wrong in summer! Love your photos. I'm now going to trawl backwards as I'm sure I'll have missed a few posts. Life never gives me enough time!

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    1. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. The gingerbread candle smells so good and I have an apple and cinnamon candle in readiness for Christmas too. I couldn't imagine using them at any other time.
      Talking of time, I know I'm behind with my blog reading too. I'm going to settle down this evening and have a catch up. X

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  10. Beautiful views and interesting vegetation! It is barely above freezing at the moment here in North Dakota and we're in the middle of a snow storm. Hope the weather is better for you where you are. Thanks for the risotto recipe!!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. I hope you're managing to stay cosy and warm. X

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  11. Your photos are lovely, as always. Sorry to hear you're feeling the beginnings of a cold and the hip problems. Hope you'll be able to recover, soon. Glad to hear that the school situation seems to have been resolved. Yes, do keep a close eye on it. Hope you have a restful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, Bless. There's always something isn't there? Small problems really, but I could do without the discomfort. X

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  12. Sorry about your hip, hoping it is a transient thing and not a long-term chronic problem. Forecast looking good for today so I hope it will not stop you and Lily getting out and enjoying some more autumn colour. xx

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. It should only be a temporary problem but it's dragging on a bit longer than I would like. It's not going to stop me getting out this morning, however. It's looking good out there. Hope you're doing OK. X

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  13. I suppose in all the wet weather we've had just recently it's a case of snatching a brief fine period and getting out while you can. Sorry to hear about the hip, I hope it doesn't trouble you for too long.

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    1. It's always wise to make the most of our fine weather days. At this time of year we never know when the next one will arrive :)
      Thank you, my hip pain seems to be easing at last. Hoping to catch up with your blog later. X

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  14. Gorgeous photos. The weather's the same here. Sunny one minute, chucking it down the next. We try and get out for a walk with Ranger twice a day, work and weather permitting. It does us all good. I hope your hip problem will soon be better. John's hips suffer in cold, damp weather. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. It is typical autumn weather here in the north. I remember the days of dog walking, dodging the showers. If Lily gets her way I'll be doing it again before long! X

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  15. Gorgeous photos, as always. The weather has been pretty dire here this week but it's lovely today, I'm sweeping up leaves in the sunshine wearing my sandals and a vest top - hooray. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix. The weather is so changeable that it makes sense to get outdoors when it's fine. It's definitely not sandal weather here, however. X

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  16. Sorry to hear your hip is giving you some jip, hope it eases off soon. One of my toes is killing me. It feels like I've broken it but I haven't, I think it's arthritis and old age!

    I am definitely going to have a go at making the risotto, it looks absolutely delicious.

    When I was tidying the garden I discovered plenty of conkers in the flower tubs that the squirrels have secreted away. Not keen on squirrels but I've covered them up again so they can come and find them.

    Hope the cold doesn't get a grip. Double doses of elderberry syrup required perhaps :) xx

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    1. There's always something isn't there? My hip feels much better today, thank you. I hope your toe is on the mend soon as well.
      The cold has turned into a (very) sore throat, and so this morning I have no voice, which is good news for some but not so great for me :) Although, I think I'm way past needing elderberry syrup and have reached the brandy stage ;) Fingers crossed I'm feeling back to normal in a day or so.
      I hope you've enjoyed your time at the caravan this weekend. I'll be along for a proper catch up later. Xx

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  17. Beautiful pictures, as normal, Jules! I'm loving the conker one especially, they have such a richness in colour. I haven't managed to find any this year (yet!) but I did pick up a few sweet chestnuts and am going to pot them up and see if they grow. Your risotto looks wonderful, I might well try that home here, thank you for the recipe. Glad things have been sorted at school for Lily:)

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    1. Thank you Ann. Conkers are fab aren't they. It's such a shame they lose their shine. I hope your sweet chestnuts grow. We've managed to grow acorn, horse chestnut, apple and hazel trees this way. X

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  18. Autumn is always iffy when choosing what to wear, but boots should always be accessible when taking a walk. I keep mine at the front door.

    You always show us such beautiful and peaceful pictures.

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    1. Thank you Arleen. I would struggle without my boots. X

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  19. I hope your hip is starting to feel better, and the cold doesn't come to fruition Jules.
    I love your conker photo! You have such a fantastic eye for photographing nature.

    It's been pretty bleak here this weekend, but during the week it was glorious. Cold breeze, sunshine and showers. Lovely Suffolk weather, perfect for this time of year. But I appreciate not everyone likes the coldness or being rained off.

    Keep those toes toasty! xx

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    1. My hip is beginning to ease, thank you, Sadie. The cold, however, has turned into a very sore throat. I completely lost my voice yesterday!
      I'm ready for some cold, bright autumn weather now. Showers I can deal with but I'm not a fan of quite so much rain. X

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  20. Such a wonderful selection of photographs, which I thoroughly enjoyed … aren't conkers just the most amazing colour.
    I think your butternut squash and sage risotto dish looks delicious :)
    So pleased that things have been sorted out at school for Lily.

    Enjoy the coming week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Yes, conkers are a gorgeous colour, although the ones on the coffee table are no longer nice and shiny, more of a dull brown. X

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  21. DH makes a great risotto and it is so quick and easy to do - yours looks lovely with the colourful squash.
    Beautiful conker photo.
    Hope your hip gets better - this damp weather does nothing for mine.

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    1. Risotto is a great versatile dish. Real comfort food. My hip is beginning to ease now, thank you, Vivien. X

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  22. Hi Jules, I'll have to catch up on what happened at the school. Thanks for the risotto recipe. Yum! Your photos are gorgeous, and I always love your writing...

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I hope you are keeping safe and well. X

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  23. I have missed posts. -sigh-

    Mostly I am so glad that the school problem has cleared up. It is so very difficult to have a child having issues. The parent wants to smooth the way, of course. But often, the way to do so, is not clear. Sooooooo very happy, for you both, that something has turned, for the better.

    One thought I had, seeing pictures of her, in your latest post, is that she is so very lovely. I wonder if it, was some sort of jealousy.... At school... -sigh-

    Gentle hugs...

    🍂🍁🎃🍁🍂

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    1. Thank you, Wow. I do agree, she is lovely ;) although the issue wasn't jealousy. Thankfully, it all appears to be sorted now. X

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